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Rode the course a few times on Tuesday and last week too. It's tight and compact with lots of good and new single track. Look out for the GPS route going up soon (anyone follwng me may get a glimpse early :)).
May try and do a flying lap Sunday but looks like sub 30 min lap for the fast guys.
I'll post up on our blog once I've done it and have the permission to do so: overthebarblog.com but we do have a sneak peak of the new mug up there already!
Some nice new lines cut at the top of Stanmer Wood, should make for a fast and flowing course 🙂
Love the mug colour - gorgeous!
S-stalking looks like the course might be fairly short this year? (or maybe just more compact and easier to marshall?)
We were riding a guess at it last night - have to say Stanmer is riding bloomin' marvellous at the moment.
I heard it was 5.2 miles.
+ what JRTG and Paceman said re: the course.
Was very fast in there this afternoon & some nice spiky climbs too 🙂
Expecting a guided tour on my return!
S'S friendly?
If you don't mind a bit of walking it'll be fine, nick 🙂
There's some very steep but short climbs plus one steepish but long one - called the ' singular fat cats climb' or something on Strava.
All rideable - a couple of them will necessitate some gurning after 5 hrs 🙂
john_l - MemberAll rideable - a couple of them will necessitate some gurning after 5 hrs
We're used to gurning and grunting from Darkcyan on his singlespeed 😉
Attempted a lap of the course this evening. Worked out about 3/4 of it with the help of the strava segment and the yellow spray paint, couldn't quite work out the route from start of the last climb to welcome to the jungle (GPS seemed to suggest it wasn't straight up the fire road track and I was running out of time). Going to give it another go tomorrow evening and will load what I did onto the garmin so I don't have to keep checking my phone (would like to know if there is a way to upload a strava segment to a garmin).
Very different to the last big dog course I did back in 2012. I imagine the xc riders will absolutely fly round.
Hmmm, mmmm, yeah.... 😕
Due to frustrating reasons, and a desire to spend time with the family, it looks like making the big dog is now going to be a challenge for me....
I've been looking on the site for contact details to see if I a nan sell the ticket back, but can't find contact details...
Anyone want a male solo entry for face value?
Or know anyone who wants it??
DrP
I might be interested, I'll need to check that I'll have a permission slip.
Fellow NHS primary care discount?
Nice one 😉
Budget cuts and financial streamlining may prohibit that...
DrP
I have a solo vets going spare if anyone wants it?
Right the course has been finalised! I rode it tonight with the designer and we have it up on our blog and FaceBook [url= https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1450941698515605&id=1440257262917382 ]overthebarblog.com[/url]
Also I'll be helping out with the Velo Cafe MTB ride next Thursday where we will go and ride the course. They meet at 6:30pm at the Cafe riding out at 6:45pm.
Oh there is a link to our strava where you can download the course. Enjoy, it's a good one this year 🙂
There's travelers camped in the main arena area I just read on Twitter. Hopefully they can get them off quickly and there's not too much poo left in the woods this time.
Will be over there riding it in the rain tomorrow I expect. First fat bike wet ride, could be interesting!
My better half contacted the Police when she saw them driving cars in on Thursday. Wondering what the point was now... They've just left a field near us at the top of Ditchling Rd and it's a bloody mess now.
Fingers crossed they don't crap everywhere at the bottom of SCOHB again.
There wasn't anyone there last night, just people setting up for the festival. Stanmer was running beautifully too.
Yeah, they've gone from the bottom of the park now.
That's good news, they've sometimes outstayed their welcome in the past and made a right mess in the process.
I shall be hazarding the storm round the BigDog course tomorrow; expecting greasy roots and speedway style tree dodging on the fat bike 🙂
Was fun this morning, not too wet given how much rain there was last night.
Blimey. It's a week away and I appear to have forgotten to do any training. Is there race etiquette I need to follow other than get out of the way of all and sundry? Never done a race before.
Couple of naive questions I have that I'm hoping someone might help me with..
Is it water bottles or camelback?
Lycra or baggies?
Tyres. Front nobby Nic rear speech the captain. Will this be ok? I also have a continental speed king.
I am a little concerned now.
Gentleman and ladies. You have a back marker 🙂
You'll be fine as longas you stay out of Dark Cyans way. He is right mardy git
Spooked:
You'll be fine. Water bottles for cc racing. No bag.
Lycra or baggies, whatever's comfortable.
Nic & captain are fine.
Let faster folks pass you when you can.
Have fun.
That'll be two of us 🙂
Great conditions in Stanmer this morning... if you like swimming 😆
The woods were strangely quiet as Bertha heaped her fury on us, only one other group of riders to be seen. The trails were still running well despite the greasy top surface and lethal roots. Thankfully BigDog wasn't today.
This weather will open a whole new dilemma for Darkcyan over what tyres to use next Saturday 😉
Suddenly realised this is only a week away! have entered solo and hoping both me my bike will survive the 6 hours!
the website says no water is available on site, does this mean i'm going to have to take 6 hours worth of water to the site?
The website says no water is available on site, does this mean i'm going to have to take 6 hours worth of water to the site?
There'll be stalls selling the usual hot & cold drinks but there are no public taps in that part of Stanmer Park. We usually take a couple of those big 6L mineral water bottles from the supermarket.
There is a tap up the top of the park in the toilets by the tea rooms which would mean you could fill up a big container when you arrive.
As requested the route is also now on Garmin Connect, I've updated the article with the link. I know loads of people have been out enjoying it, even in this downpour! : [url= http://overthebarblog.com/2014/08/08/the-brighton-big-dog-course-2014-mapped/ ]overthebarblog.com[/url]
I'm really looknig forward to this. Went up there on Sat but just rode last years course to get my eye in.
Let's hope the travellers are gone from the transition area in time...although the rozzers seemed to be rounding them up on Sat morning.
Travellers had gone yesterday morning.
Rode part of the course and then we headed off up to the other woods and found some streams to ride in.
First wet ride on my Puffin with On-one Floater tyres. Grip everywhere was incredible, problem was my confidence in them and not wanting to push too hard - there was a lot of wet roots around.
First truly wet ride on my Surly Knard tyres wasn't so confidence-inspiring 😐
I'm hoping the showers aren't too heavy and the windy weather this week dries out the trails again before Saturday. It'll be fun nonetheless, but faster if dry. I much prefer the course this year which takes advantage of the best singletrack in the BigDog side of the park.
Rewski - did you have a solo space up for grabs in the end? If by chance you do I'll have it!
I'd b worried in the wet on those fat tyres!
Is the first climb the real steep chalky one in the bottom corner of the footy pitch? Trying to work it out from the map.
I'm running x kings at the moment.... Mud x on standby...
No, it's the first fire road climb to the right of that (the other side of the bomb hole) but I don't think you go to the top before turning right.
No, it's the first fire road climb to the right of that (the other side of the bomb hole) but I don't think you go to the top before turning right.
Is it the same as 2011, where it's up the field before heading into the woods onto the fire road, but going up and left instead of right and back down?
darkcyan - MemberI'd be worried in the wet on those fat tyres!
You're right, it could be tight when we're overtaking you on Saturday 😉
Is it the same as 2011, where it's up the field before heading into the woods onto the fire road, but going up and left instead of right and back down?
Not quite, you go up the field and into the first track in the left, at the top of that, turn right, then down at the first decent, left at the bottom , then left on to the main track and up to the beginning of the normal final decent. Clear enough :-). If not come along Thursday as I'll be showing people round as part of the Velo Cafe ride.
Went over yesterday and followed the 1st half of the route, but as my garmin is bloody useless at following a course I ended up having to keep stopping and checking the map on my phone instead, which after a while got pretty annoying. So just did a bit of Singletrack and made my way home.
We'll be along Thursday. See you then.
Rode it last night. It's OK. Definite improvement on last year...but not as good as it was before that. Little/no features, just singletrack and fireroad. Won't be Big Dog for me again until they reintroduce the final descent that takes you to the bomb hole. Fingers crossed for a dry day Sat.
See you Thursday! Even I find it tricky to get the right cut through and I've ridden it loads.
I'll be there Thursday as well.
Making tractor tyre noises on the Tarmac.
Wwaswas, ace, looking forward to it!
Just ridden a chunk of the course as part of my commute.
It's in superb condition. I saw one puddle in the whole of the woods. Figners crossed it stays that way and the sun gods are with us on Saturday.
Can't wait.
yep - just rode a couple of sections of the course and its incredibly dry considering the recent rain
nope - I was in green
Ride was cut short unfortunatley due to technical issues
I was really surprised how grippy it was yesterday (even with the x kings on) as I got over there about an hour after the rain had stopped. Think we're due more rain Thursday, but Friday and Saturday are meant to be dry. Fingers crossed as a dryish course makes a big difference to the enjoyment of the big dog. I remember the carnage of 2010.
Had our best result in 2010 as everyone else gave up 🙂
I'm hoping for just enough moisture to give 4" tyres a bit of an advantage on the roots 🙂
Had our best result in 2010 as everyone else gave up
I had a great result in 2010. No shelter so walked up to the swan and got p***ed waiting for the others to finish.
JRTG, I'm planning to join you for the ride on Thursday evening. Would it be ok to meet you at Stanmer (at the main entrance at 7ish maybe??) as this would be much more convenient for me? I'm happy to wait there until the group arrives.
Cheers
Paceman
P.s. Will be on a sparkly green Surly Krampus which is is hard to miss 😀
On a waiting list at the moment...Maybe I'm lucky.
Never participated at this event before.
Agree with Rich the course looks better than last year but could be sooo much better...they should let the local trail fairies choose the course! I know they have constraints from council and marshaling aspects but they could have thrown in the full decent for some end of lap adrenaline. Anyway still looking forward to it and the after party should be good this year!
Rode most of it last night. Got absolutely soaked and then fell off.
I predict carnage....
spooked - MemberRode most of it last night. Got absolutely soaked and then fell off.
Stanmer takes no prisoners when those roots get an unexpected soaking. Conditions there change quickly though, particularly in the wind so if tomorrow's dry we should be ok. Hope there was no damage to self or bike Spooky.
A couple of videos from last year to enjoy and motivate...
Myti - they do let some of the local trail fairies choose the course 🙂
A few new bits have been cut especially.
They have to have a course with no cross overs, that can be marshalled with relatively few people and that British Cycling declare as safe and OK for racing - as you say, not an easy job in that space.
Riding it tonight and heavy rain is forecast. Looking forward to it 🙂
Rode most of it last night. Got absolutely soaked and then fell off. I predict carnage....
So you're saying I really ought to change the Nanoraptor that is on the back of my bike right now 🙂
Paceman, wwaswas and I are coming on the cafe run. Will call you later when we are on the way
Cheers Tim, that would be great. I'm assuming the group will be heading along Lewes Road so I'll wait down at the Coldean corner.
See you later, I think Darkcyan's coming too,
Paceman
P.s. It's raining heavily here at the moment 🙁
is the course not running over the bridges this year? I liked that section, better as a descent than a climb. First year not solo'ing so I wont miss out on cake, i'll be representing Strada wheels, trying to pretend I've recovered from bonty 24hr...
[url=chris-noble-mtb.blogspot.co.uk/]chris-noble-mtb.blogspot.co.uk/[/url]
Loads of Q's to answer!
Paceman, yes we will be at the entrance by about 7pmish
MYTI Course was designed by the local trail fairies 🙂 wwaswas says it all, not as simple as it at first seems
C_klein87 we all love that bit too, maybe in the next years? Good to have some variety and there are some cracking new bits in it this year too.
Forgot to say, the course is still up on our website [url= http://overthebarblog.com/2014/08/08/the-brighton-big-dog-course-2014-mapped/ ]overthebarblog.com[/url]
Rode it last night in the rain (please sign my petition for performance-related pay for the Met office!). Sketchy but fun - Eyes were on stalks looking out for all the wet roots in the semi-darkness.
Good idea diverting the trail half way down the steep descent btw - that was pretty spicy to ride down in the slop with that magnetic tree waiting at the bottom.
I think the 2014 course is a great layout given the design brief and area constraints but for me it doesn't quite compare with the "classic" 2012 course...sorry guys 🙁 Of course it's hard to tell when not racing but as much as people hate Badgers, the Coldean climb etc. I think those distinctive trail features are part of the USP of Big Dog.
I also think those last 3 descents of the "classic" (SCOHB I think they're called on Strava) made for a killer finish to a lap. I know it's very difficult to overtake on those sections but if that's the issue, maybe a few of us locals can create some alternate lines to make those 3 runs a more viable finish for next year?
That said, I'm really looking forward to seeing the new course come to life in the race and a big thanks to you guys who have already done lots of hard work and created some new trails in the process.
Cheers Paceman. Only damage is a numb right buttock. Not to sure what to make of that really.
Hoping for sunshine!
Whoop! About to head out in the rain 🙂 I love riding when it's wet
Can someone tell me how registering on the day works.
I assumed I would have received an email telling me about this but I've not received anything and my log in for the xc racer site doesn't seem to work. I'm not having any luck resetting my password or them responding to my attempts to get in contact with them.
I'm getting abut worried about this now.
Can someone tell me how registering on the day works.
Turn up, sign on, collect number etc.
[url= http://www.brightonbigdog.com/details/ ]http://www.brightonbigdog.com/details/[/url]
I'm getting abut worried about this now.
Relax 🙂
Heading out for Stanmer now, there are big grey clouds overhead, bring on the rooty fun 😆
Well it was slippery coaching there this morning in the rain, after this evenings rain it should make the tyre choice interesting, I'm going for the black ones I have fitted.....
I'm going for the black ones I have fitted.....
Controversial.
Good ride tonight. Looking forward to Saturday.
Great ride, we had well over 20 people and other groups were out too. Very slippy just the way I like it, really looking forward to it now. Hope my guiding was up to scratch, we only lost Matt a few times....
Agree with the tyre choice, black ones are the best (unless you have some tan walled turquoise 90's ones, they rule over everything).
Thanks JRTG, great guiding with a large group over a tight course. You managed to shepherd us very well I thought, and what a friendly bunch of people 😀
Conditions we're ok I thought and should be even better by Saturday lunchtime. I like some of the new lines cut for the race and overall the course makes really good use of a relatively small srea of the park. A good mix of climbs and downhill and some techy sections which will be rideable for the vast majority and safe for the rest. Despite the loss of the final downhill into the bomb hole I think it's the best course for the last couple of years. Thank you to the organisers in advance, I'm really looking forward to Saturday.
Across the group last night were the whole range of tyres from skinny fast-rolling summer rubber to tractor-size fat tyres and everything in between. The course was manageable and fun for all so I wouldn't get too hung up on tyre choice. Race day outfit and accessories are far more important 😉
I also seem to remember TimP agreeing to ride a lap tomorrow on his cross bike 😆
I, errr, lost it on the way to work? The dog had also eaten most of it anyway, and wwaswas didn't make the wheels round, the back one is mostly square. Sorry [u]was[/u] mostly square.
I am also developing a strong allergy to tyres less than 33mm wide.
Oh and check out who is 4th fastest on the lap at the moment...